Epson 440 banding question

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Yes, I know it's an old printer and I should chuck it in the bin, but before
I do I would like to find out why the printouts have a faint banding effect.

The head alignment pattern and nozzle check are OK. The lines are spaced at
about 0.03" when printing at 720dpi, and they run in the direction of the
print head travel.

Is this caused by a problem (or limitation) with the paper feed, or
something else?

Thanks,

Mike

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

"Arthur Entlich" <artistic@telus.net> wrote in message
newsjaFd.84837$dv1.25955@edtnps89...
> Hi Mike,
>
> When you say banding, do you mean these are areas where one or more
> color ink appears to be missing, or that there is a line of extra ink?
> Does the band or line ink extend beyond the image into the margins?

I'm looking at colour photos printed from either a digital camera or a
scanned original.
The bands are areas of missing ink which run across the entire image.
I acquired the printer as used, so don't know if it has always been like
that.

> If you could send me a 300 dpi scan of in high quality jpeg of:

Thanks for the kind offer, I will respond tonight.

Mike

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Sorry to hear that the quality didn't improve as much as hoped. The 440
was the bottom model in their printer line and I suspect that over time
wear and tear may lead to inaccuracy in the paper path transport, which
may cause the banding.

I have not used the 890, and unfortunately Epson tends to have slightly
different numbers for the UK than for North America. I have used the
880 and have found it to be a very good 4 color printer.

Art

MikeD wrote:

> Art
>
> I followed your excellent instructions for cleaning my printer (much easier
> with the top cover removed). I took a lot of congealed crud from the
> cleaning pad and under the head. The print quality is now much improved, but
> sadly the banding is still there. I think it must be a limitation of the
> printer's design.
>
> Interestingly, I printed off one of the "high quality" pictures that came
> with the printer, and the banding was also there but much less noticeable. I
> reckon Epson choose these images carefully to disguise the effect!
>
> I'm now looking out for a used Color Photo 890, which seems to have the
> features I want (unless of course you tell me they're no good...).
>
> Many thanks for your help,
>
> Mike
>
>

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

I had the same problem with my printer.

I got in contact with the guys at Cartridge Express, who talked me through
step by step, and my printer works like new now.

I would give them a ring. http://www.cartridgeexpress.net/